Bucharest National Opera opens DescOpera festival in Moldova
The 10th anniversary edition of the DescOpera open-air classical music festival commenced at the Orheiul Vechi cultural-natural reserve. For the first time, the landmark cultural event expands across four evenings, featuring unique historical locations and an innovative floating stage constructed over the Raut River.
The Bucharest National Opera opened the festival with a vibrant staging of Gioachino Rossini’s masterpiece, "The Barber of Seville", moving the production from their traditional grand stage to the picturesque rural landscape of Butuceni. The performance drew standing ovations from an international audience.
Artistic excellence in nature
"I have performed at the Rossini Opera Festival in Pesaro six times, where I developed my artistic approach directly from the source," said mezzo-soprano Martiniana Antonie. "We are thrilled to bring such a lively, beautiful, and engaging production to this unique landscape."
Baritone Iordache Basalic highlighted the dynamic nature of his role. "I portray Figaro, the central instigator who drives the complex and vibrant plot of this magnificent opera," Basalic noted.
Tenor Bogdan Mihai emphasized the acoustic and spiritual dimensions of the venue. "Singing in nature is a profound experience that I have enjoyed at major international venues, creating a flawless connection between the human voice and the environment," he stated.
The production, envisioned by director Igor Bergler and conducted by Maestro Daniel Jinga, received extensive critical and public acclaim. Festival organizers noted that the open-air setting enhances the academic composition, delivering both high art and a welcoming atmosphere for cultural tourism.
Expanding scenic horizons
"This year brings an unprecedented logistical expansion with three distinct performance spaces," stated the Minister of Culture, Cristian Jardan. "We begin at the Butuceni amphitheater, move between the natural stone cliffs, and conclude on Sunday with a special performance led by Maestro Gheorghe Mustea on a platform built directly over the Raut River."
The festival program continues on Saturday with a production of Giuseppe Verdi’s "Nabucco", followed by a Sunday gala dedicated to the traditional waltzes of the Strauss dynasty.
Svetlana Bivol, Director of the National Philharmonic, added that the enduring appeal of the event lies in the synthesis of fresh air, historical heritage, and deep emotional resonance.
DescOpera was founded in 2016 under the artistic vision of Austrian conductor Friedrich Pfeiffer. While exploring the cliffs of Butuceni, Pfeiffer recognized that the natural limestone amphitheater possessed the ideal acoustics for large-scale outdoor classical concerts, establishing a tradition that now defines Moldova's summer cultural calendar.
